Hudson’s first inning of spring inspires confidence

Updated 9:16 pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

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FILE - This Oct. 23, 2014, file photo shows San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Hudson answering questions during a news conference in San Francisco. Hudson says next season will probably be his last. The 39-year-old right-hander finally reached and won the World Series in his 16th major league season. He said Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, he plans to fulfill his $23 million, two-year contract with the Giants then possibly call it a career. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) less

FILE - This Oct. 23, 2014, file photo shows San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Hudson answering questions during a news conference in San Francisco. Hudson says next season will probably be his last. The ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Hudson’s first inning of spring inspires confidence

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kim Hudsonhit Twitter right after husband Tim pitched his first inning of the year.

The stress came from Hudson’s first hitter, Gerardo Parra, who grounded to Brandon Belt. Hudson, on his first play of the spring, had to race to first on the right ankle he has been rehabbing after surgery in January to remove bone chips.

“I knew it was going to be the first play,” he said. “I’m surprised it wasn’t bang-bang, and I had to jump and do a cartwheel to get it.”

The Giants will do cartwheels if Hudson starts the season strong enough to take his first turn in the rotation. His first Cactus League inning, two days after Matt Cain’s successful debut, was a good sign.

More important, the ankle felt fine and Hudson said his body feels stronger than a year ago, when he joined the Giants after a much worse ankle injury.

The Giants had predicted that Hudson would need eight weeks to recover, a prognosis that he hit almost to the day.

“It’s usually six weeks for a young guy,” he said. “Since I’m older, they said eight weeks. Osteoporosis starts making those bones get a little slower.”

Bad start: Nori Aoki is 1-for-15, the hit a bunt single. He mostly has been playing pepper with opposing infielders, as he did with three groundballs (one a double play) in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Brewers.

“Of course I’d like to get some hits, but the quality of at-bats I feel I’m getting are better than they were earlier, so there's progress,” Aoki said before the game. “The first couple of games for me, the balls weren’t coming off the bat well at all. I feel like I’m getting better every day.”

Briefly:Brandon Crawford (shoulder soreness) played shortstop for the first time this spring and reported he felt fine. ... Juan Perez(back pain) returned and went 0-for-2.

Notable: Tim Lincecumallowed three runs in one inning, his outing cut short by a stiff neck with which he woke in the morning. He could not turn his head to the left, which made it hard to see the plate during his delivery. He got treatment before and after his inning. ... Brandon Crawford and Hector Sanchez hit RBI singles against starter Matt Garzain the second inning. A Casey McGeheedouble keyed the rally. ... Brandon Belt hit his first homer, against Chris Perez. ... Santiago Casillacontinued to struggle with fastball command. He allowed two runs in the first of his two innings. He’s allowed six runs in five innings.

Quotable: “I might have helped Adrianza out the other day. I think I got him a roster spot. I think he hit three or four line drives off of me. Just helping out the young guys.”

— Tim Hudson, who threw to utility infielderEhire Adrianzaand other teammates Sunday to prepare for the Cactus League.